The Queens Baseball Convention (QBC) 2025 had an exciting live edition of SNY's Baseball Night in New York (BNNY) panel!This fan-favorite segment brings the popular SNY show to life on stage, featuring lively discussions on the latest Mets news, offseason moves, and insights into the team's outlook for the upcoming season. The panel includes:Host Sal Licata (@sal_licata
on X), known for his passionate takes on New York baseball. Laura Albanese (@AlbaneseLaura on X), Newsday's Mets beat writer offering sharp reporting and analysis. SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino (@martinonyc on X), delivering exclusive scoops and behind-the-scenes details. Mets radio play-by-play broadcaster Keith Raad (@KeithRaad on X), adding his broadcasting expertise and enthusiasm.
Monday, December 15, 2025
Sunday, December 14, 2025
QBC 2025: State of the Mets Panel
Join Mark Healey, Lori Robinson, Ant Rivera, and Matt Ibanez on chatting about what is going on with the NY Mets at the end of 2025 and into 2026.
X: @MarkChealey
@LoriRubinsonFAN
@subwaytoshea
@Poison_Ibby
Qbcmerchstand.com
QBCny.com
QBC 2025: Til Mets Do Us Part Live
Join the guys from Til Mets Do Us Part- John Saponaro and Matt Ibanez doing a live version of their show with SNY's Joe DeMayo and comedian Chris Scopo.
@tilmetsdouspart on YouTube and X
on X
@johnsaponaro
@Poison_IBBY
X and Instagram: @QBconvention
QBCmerchstand.com and QBCny.com
QBC 2025: Jesse Orosco Panel
Roger Clark of NY1 News has a great panel with 1986 World Champion Jesse Orosco.
Roger Clark on X: @RogerClark41
X and Insta: QBConvention
QBCNY.com
QBC 2025: The Terry Collins Show LIVE!!
Hey guys Terry Collins and his team brought the Terry Collins Show live to the QBC with Andy Martino to chat with Retired MLB Umpire Tom Hallion about A$$es being in the jackpot!
QBC 2025: Mets Make a Deal Gameshow
Dennis Holden and The Media Goon from TheMediagoon.com aka the guy who is the head producer of the QBC give back to the fans in a fun way. Mets Make a deal is like one of those game shows you would watch at home in the early afternoon when you stayed home from school.You never know what you could win as a prize at the QBC
QBCMerchstand.com
QBCny.com
TheMediagoon.com
X AND INSTA @QBCONVENTION
X AND INSTA @mediagoon
QBC 2025: Brett Baty Panel
We usually wait a few days to post any panels from the QBC but we have a great one with Brett Baty with hosting. Kelley killed it as the host and Brett was engaging, funny, and had some great answers.
QBC 2025 is in the books
Hey everyone, I wanted to thank everyone that came out to the QBC yesterday. From all the feedback I got yesterday it seems like everyone had a great time, I want to thank my family and friends who volunteer their time to helping make the QBC such a great event. I want to thank my wife Tricia for putting up with me during the last two weeks. I want to thank our sponsors SNY as always Metro Baseball Magazine. Special thanks to Coach's Collectibles for bringing in such great guys for the signings and panels. Thank you to all our Hosts and Panelists. SNY's BBNY, Til Mets Do Us Part, State of the Mets, The Terry Collins Podcast, The Svelt good looking guys from Mets Make a Deal. The vendors who hawked their wares. I am sure I am forgetting a ton of folks but my brain is shot right now. Oh yeah thanks for everyone who keeps supporting us year in and year out. WE DO THIS FOR YOU and as soon as we see we aren't providing the fun for our fellow fans we'll make sure not to over stay our welcome. That
Saturday, December 13, 2025
QBC 2025 is today.
QBC DAY IS TODAY!!!! I worked from 3 pm to 11 pm at the hotel yesterday setting up and I plan on being there at 6:30 am today to finish what I need to finish before we open the doors.
If you haven't bought your tickets yet and still want to go, QBCny.com has your hookup.
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Steve Somers Book Signing at Donovan's Pub in Woodside
WFAN legend Steve Somers, aka ‘The Schmoozer, is bringing his new book, 𝘔𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, to Donovan's for A Holiday Schmooze book signing!
Come join us Tuesday, Dec 16, from 6 to 7:30 PM, meet Steve, and grab a signed copy. Books available for purchase, foreword by Jerry Seinfeld. Don’t miss this special event! 
Queens Baseball Convention 2025: BLUE VIP SOLD OUT! Orange VIPs almost sold out. Grab Tickets Now!
BLUE VIP TABLES SOLD OUT! ORANGE VIPs almost sold out. Fast Passes sold out. Only way to get fast passes now is to buy Orange VIP Tickets.
QBC SCHEDULE
Doors open at 9:30 am
10am-10:45 Jesse Orosco Panel
10:45-11:45 Jesse Signing
10:45- 11:30 State of the Mets
11:30-12:30 SNY: Baseball Night in NY
1230-12:40 GIL Hodges Award: Surprising the recipient
12:45- 1:45 Terry Collins Show
1:45-2:45 Collins/Hallion Signing
1:45-2:15 INTERMISSION
2:15-3pm Mets Make a Deal
3pm- 4pm Til' Mets Do Us Part
4pm-5pm Brett Baty
5pm-6pm Brett Baty Signing
QueensBaseballConvention.com for tickets and info
Line up and schedule subject to change
For the first time in a while the QBC is bringing in a current NY Mets player thanks to Coach's Collectibles.
For those of you who have missed it so far, we have Jesse Orosco coming in to do a panel and signing( his autograph is included with the general admission price to get in). We have The Terry Collins Show coming in to do a live version of their show with Terry and Tom Hallion (retired MLB Umpire from the infamous jackpot clip) and they will be doing a signing also. A free 8X10 is included in the price of that autograph ticket.
Also we have a current Mets player which we are hoping to announce hopefully today but if not today within the next couple of days.
SNY who has been our presenting sponsor for almost as long as the QBC has been around is brining in their On Air Talent to do a in person version of one of their shows from the network.
State of the Mets led by Mark Healey is returning and boy this is going to be a doozy of a panel.
Mets Make a Deal with Dennis Holden. You know that really fun game show we had last year? Well it is back.
Plus a few other panels we are still working on.
Ticket updates-
The VIP BLUE Tables are totally sold out.
VIP ORANGE Ticket Package- there are about 4 of these tickets left.
General Admission which includes Free Jesse Orosco autograph tickets are still available
General Admission plus Free Jesse Autograph , Terry/Hallion Autograph , Brett Baty auto Combo still available,
Autograph tickets and fast passes are still available for all players.
YOU MUST HAVE AN ADMISSION TICKET TO ENTER THE QBC.
Grab your tickets at QueensBaseballConvention.com
My thoughts on the Mets in the last few days,
Photos create by Grok AI
Hey everyone, I have been super busy with the QBC (Buy your tickets here) and haven't had a chance to weigh in on what has been going on in Mets land. I was just wondering, what happened to fans undying love for "Uncle Steve" you know the guy who was the savior of the Mets fans, the guy who was going to win Championships year after year after year? You guys are all pissed now because his guy David Stearns traded Nimmo(one of my fave players), didn't resign Diaz, didn't resign Alonso and now because there are no leaks what the next move is going to be for the Mets that you make fun of the fact he went to Harvard and has a small market mindset?
I want to say this in two parts. Why are you letting being a fan of the Mets ruin your life? I see so many folks losing their minds over this."I'm done. If I knew this was going to happen I wasn't going to renew my tickets. That's it, Im going to root for the Yankees," I love the team. Hell, I run a damn fan fest about the team for my fellow Mets fans. But to let players movements eat you up like this is crazy. Nimmo waived his no trade clause so he could be moved. Alonso opted out on air basically 5 minutes after the last game as a Met. Diaz opted out also. That's three players that were ready to move on from the team if need be. Root for the laundry and not the names on the back if you are going to be a fan of a team. If you like a layer root for that player no matter what team he goes to. You can do both. I'm friends with Chris Flexen. I'm a Mets fan. I have bought a jersey from almost every team Chris played on because he's a friend and I support him. (I have to found out how to get a Doosan Bears jersey now.) You guys want to be angry that's your right. I just wouldn't let it consume me until after all the chips fall(Casino joke there and you'll see why) in how the 2026 team is assembled and how they end up playing.
Here is my second part of my post. Do you folks remember what MetsPolice and myself were trying to warn you about? That you guys were eventually were going to realize that your "Uncle Steve" wasn't the good uncle you thought he was? Yes, he might be a Mets fan. Yes, he might have had a lot of the Mets memorabilia from historic Mets events over the years. Yes, his wife Alex and her father are die hard Mets fans. But do you really think he just bought the team to own the team? What folks continue to fail to realize that even when the Wilpons wanted to build the two malls around Citi Field was that the only folks who were allowed to build on the PARKLAND around the stadium were the NY Mets. Folks keep thinking the Casino is going to be built across from the ballpark where the WILPONS are already developing the area that the chop shops were in. They are only in phase one right now. The reason why the Wilpons couldn't land the mall in the parking lots of Citi Field is because they didn't play the "game" of saying they are going to beautify the neighborhoods with 20 acres of public green space next to the ballpark. So what am I getting at? I'm getting at the fact I think and it is only my opinion on this, is that Steve Cohen a businessman who has made billions of dollars, paid off fines to the government in the past that "he didn't have to officially pay" and paid billions of dollars for a big market baseball team out of his own pocket without having a consortium behind him, always had plans for the real estate around the ballpark. But again, you guys thought he was going to be altruistic with the team and be one big ATM at all times. Steve Cohen in business is a shark. That is his nature. He is going to whatever he can to make the most money that he can. Most billionaires in my opinion are sharks. There are times when a shark needs to blow up the company that they have invested in and change the "players" that work for them.
This is your fan reality now. Either let it eat away at you or just realize baseball is a business and not a game for kids that is played on a major league level.
Oh and just remember, the CBA is coming up soon.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
New York Mets’ Dick Scott Wins Sheldon “Chief” Bender Award
New York Mets’ Dick Scott Wins Sheldon “Chief” Bender Award,
Cincinnati Reds’ Pat Kelly Wins Mike Coolbaugh Award
Dec. 8, 2025 — Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) announced the selection of longtime baseball executive, manager and coach Dick Scottas the 17th winner of the Sheldon “Chief” Bender Award and Cincinnati Reds Minor League Manager Pat Kelly as the recipient of the 17thannual Mike Coolbaugh Award.
The Sheldon “Chief” Bender Award is presented to an individual with distinguished service who has been instrumental in player development. The award honors Bender as a longtime front office executive and consultant who spent 39 years with the Cincinnati Reds.
The Mike Coolbaugh Award is presented annually to an individual who has shown outstanding baseball work ethic, knowledge of the game and skill in mentoring young players on the field. The award was created by Minor League Baseball in 2008 to honor the late Coolbaugh, a 17-year Minor League player who was in his first year as a coach at the time of his passing. Coolbaugh appeared in 44 Major League games with the Milwaukee Brewers (39 games in 2001) and St. Louis Cardinals (five games in 2002).
DICK SCOTT, New York Mets (Manager of the Triple-A Syracuse Mets) – Sheldon “Chief” Bender Award
Dick Scott’s career in professional baseball began in 1981 as the 17th round draft choice of the New York Yankees out of Ellsworth High School in Ellsworth, Maine. As a shortstop, Scott spent eight seasons in the Yankees organization, reaching Triple-A Columbus. After signing with Oakland as a Minor League free agent in 1989, Scott reached the big leagues with the Athletics, playing in three games with the eventual World Champions. Following the 1990 season and 10 seasons as a professional player, Scott retired and immediately began a coaching, scouting and player development career that would span the next 35 years.
Scott’s career in player development began the very next season in 1991 as he remained in the Athletics organization as a Manager with the Rookie-level Arizona League Athletics, whom he led to a league championship in his first season.
Scott went on to manage six seasons in the Athletics organization, with stops in Madison (1992), Southern Oregon (1993), Modesto (1994) and Huntsville (1995-96). His 1994 Modesto club went 96-40, posting a .706 winning percentage, which has not been topped in the Minor Leagues since. Scott was named the Manager of the Year in his league three times (1991 in Arizona League, 1992 in the Northwest League and 1994 in the California League). He was named USA Today Baseball Weekly Minor League Manager of the Year in 1994.
In 1997, Scott joined the Arizona Diamondbacks organization as a manager at Class-A South Bend before moving into a Major League Advance Scout role in 1998.
Following the 2001 season, Scott became the Director of Player Development for the Toronto Blue Jays, a role he held through the 2009 season. In 2010, he joined the Houston Astros organization as their Minor League Field Coordinator. From 2011 through 2012, he served as the New York Mets’ Minor League Field Coordinator, before serving as their Director of Player Development from 2013-15.
In 2016, Scott joined Major League coaching staff as Bench Coach for two seasons. In 2018, he joined the Miami Marlins as Director of Player Development for three seasons. During the 2021-2022 seasons, he served as the Mets’ Coordinator of Coaching Development and Instruction before being named Manager of Triple-A Syracuse for the last three seasons.
Dick and his wife, Kristin, have two sons, Ryan and Zach, along with two grandchildren, Carter and Marley. They reside in Ellsworth, Maine.
“It’s a great honor to receive such a prestigious award and to be associated with the previous winners of the Bender Award, many of whom are some of the most impactful people in the game, so it really means a lot,” said Scott. “I know most of the previous winners of this award and have strong relationships with so many of them, it means the world to me to be associated with that group. The journey in professional baseball can be challenging at times, but it’s the people that make it great, whether its players, coaches, staff, front office, it’s those people that make the journey so special and I’m very appreciative for this career and this honor. I’m especially grateful to my wife, Kris, and my entire family for their support throughout my career.”
2008 Jim Rantz, Minnesota Twins
2009 Keith Lieppman, Oakland Athletics
2010 Mark Newman, New York Yankees
2011 Bob Gebhard, Arizona Diamondbacks
2012 Mitch Lukevics, Tampa Bay Rays
2013 Brian Graham, Baltimore Orioles
2014 Lois Hudson, Cincinnati Reds
2015 Buddy Bell, Chicago White Sox
2016 Dan Lunetta, Detroit Tigers
2017 Grady Fuson, Oakland Athletics
2018 Steve Cobb, Arizona Fall League
2019 Junior Noboa, Arizona Diamondbacks
2021 Mike Bell, Minnesota Twins
2022 Gary LaRocque, St. Louis Cardinals
2023 Lee McDaniel, Philadelphia Phillies
2024 Raquel Ferreira, Boston Red Sox
PAT KELLY, Cincinnati Reds (Manager of Triple-A Louisville) – Mike Coolbaugh Award
Pat Kelly began his baseball career in 1973 as a third-round pick of the California Angels out of Santa Maria High School in Santa Maria, California. As a catcher, he played 13 professional seasons and reached the big leagues with Toronto in 1980.
In 1984, he began a coaching and managerial career that has spanned 42 years, with the last seven coming as Manager of the Triple-A Louisville Bats. His 2,092 managerial wins in the minors is second among active managers (Nashville’s Rick Sweet leads with 2,438) and seventh-most all-time.
Kelly’s coaching career started in 1984 with the Gulf Coast League White Sox before moving up to the Glens Falls White Sox in 1985. He began his managerial career in 1986 in the San Diego Padres organization with Low-A Charleston before moving up to High-A Reno in 1987. Following two seasons in Wichita (1988-89), he was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas in 1990.
Kelly then joined the Montreal Expos organizations for two seasons (1991-92) before a two-year stint in the Cincinnati Reds system (1993-94). He returned to the Expos for four years from 1995-98, before returning to the Blue Jays organization in 1999. Kelly was just into his second year managing Triple-A Syracuse in 2000 when he became a scout for the Blue Jays for the remainder of that season and the next two.
In 2003, he began a three-year stretch in the Atlanta Braves organization, where he managed Triple-A Richmond. After spending the 2006 season as a scout for the Atlanta Braves, Kelly rejoined the Reds in 2007 and returned to the dugout, where he has spent the last 19 years.
Over the last 19 years with the Reds, Kelly has managed rookie-level teams, Single-A and Double-A clubs and has spent six of the last seven seasons managing Triple-A Louisville. He also spent part of the 2018 season as Jim Riggleman’s interim Bench Coach in Cincinnati.
Kelly was the 2012 Pioneer League (Rookie-level) Manager of the Year and was named Manager of the Year for the Puerto Rican Winter League in 2016 and 2010.
His son, Casey, pitched in 30 Major League games with Atlanta, Arizona, Cincinnati, San Diego and San Francisco from 2012-2025, and his oldest son, Chris, played in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. Kelly, 69, resides in Sarasota, Florida.
“First and foremost, I’d like to thank Minor League Baseball for the prestigious Mike Coolbaugh Award and I’m humbled looking at the list of previous winners, many of whom have been mentors to me,” said Kelly. “This recognition isn’t just mine – it’s a testament to the support of my family, the countless players, coaches and staff members who’ve shaped my journey in baseball.”
"Dick and Pat have had a lasting impact on hundreds of players, coaches and colleagues during their careers and have devoted their lives to the game of baseball, doing so with the great character and humility embodied by the individuals these awards are named after,” said Peter Woodfork, Major League Baseball’s Senior Vice President of Minor League Operations and Development. “On behalf of Minor League Baseball, it is my honor to present them with these awards,"
PREVIOUS MIKE COOLBAUGH AWARD WINNERS
2008 Bobby Jones, Texas Rangers
2009 Charlie Montoyo, Tampa Bay Rays
2010 Woody Huyke, GCL Pirates
2011 Mike Jirschele, Omaha Storm Chasers
2012 Johnny Goryl, Cleveland Indians
2013 Mike Guerrero, Nashville Sounds
2014 Tom Wiedenbauer, Cleveland Indians
2015 John Shoemaker, Los Angeles Dodgers
2016 Donald “Spin” Williams, Washington Nationals
2017 Dennis Holmberg, Toronto Blue Jays
2018 Steve Turco, St. Louis Cardinals
2019 Glenn “Goose” Gregson, Boston Red Sox
2021 Roly de Armas, Philadelphia Phillies
2022 Rick Sweet, Milwaukee Brewers
2023 Bobby Cuellar, Los Angeles Dodgers
2024 Chino Cadahia, Kansas City Royals
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About Minor League Baseball
Minor League Baseball consists of 120 teams across four classification levels (Single-A, High-A, Double-A and Triple-A) that are affiliated with Major League Baseball’s 30 teams. Fans flock to MiLB games to see baseball’s future stars and experience the affordable family-friendly entertainment that has been a staple of MiLB since 1901. For more information, visit MiLB.com and follow MiLB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.